Railroad track equipment



April 23, 1946. w. c`. HEIDENTHAL 2,398,935

RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT Filed oct. 2,1945 6 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY April 23, 1946. w.v c. HEIENTHAL. 2,398,935

l RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT Filed Oct. 2, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 APll 23, 1946. w. HEIDENTHAL 2,398,935

I I RAILROAD TRACK 'EQUIPMENT I Filed Oct. 2, 1943 6 ,Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORN EY April 23, 1946.

W. C. HEIDENTHAL RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT Filed Oct. 2, 1945 sweets-sheet 4 56 66 58 Il H e5 "(4 g I 13 s1 59 8| |05 4| s? -90 14 68 |01;P 34' A may l//777A 24 & tls 44 LIO'T F :L c'- E *gi l L1.4. a2/ @l5 lNyENToR www BY ATTORNEY April 23, 1946.

w. c. HEIDENTHAL RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT Filed oct. 2, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY 'A ATTORNEY ,.April 23, 1946. w. c. HExDENTHAL, l 2,398,935 l RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT v Filed oct. 2, 1943 @sheets-sheet e "FLEJ' .'.L -1E 3 ,r au M 6l: .ci

- :IZ 4| 45- H I 54 i INVENTOR I ATTORNEY- Patented Apr. 23, 1946 n 2,398,935 RAILROAD TRACK EQUIIIWENT Warren C. Hedenthal, Middletown,

N. Y., assign-l or to American Brake Shoe Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 2, 1943, Serial No. 504,666

Claims.

The invention relates in general to railroad track equipment and, more particularly, to devices for lubricating the flanges of car wheels and the flange engaging surfaces of the rails.

The invention relates further to operating mechanism which, when actuated by the passage of rolling stock, operates pumping apparatus for supplying lubricant to the rails and represents an improvement over Fuller application, Serial No. 375,898, led J anuary-25, 1941, now Patent No. 2,349,259, dated May 23, 1944.

According to the prior invention, a flexible cable is connected to a wheel-engaging ramp secured to the running rail and to a suitable spring device associated with the lubricant reservoir. Depressing the ramp operates the cable, which in turn operates the pumping system for supplying the rail with lubricant. The ramp is pivoted to a housing plate secured to the rail and supporting a ramp spring for holding the ramp in the path of the car wheels. The housing plate is provided with a bell crank lever, one arm of which is connected to the ramp and the other arm of which is connected to the operating cable'. The lubricant reservoir is seated in the ground alongside the track and contains the pumps for delivering the lubricant to the track. The `reservoir contains a spring, a unidirectional clutch and drum, the cable being wrapped around the drum and secured to the reservoir spring. The cable is thus held under tension by the two springs at all times.

The present invention relates to a new type of connection between the ramp and bell crank lever; a novel form of shim adjustment for adjusting the throw of the ramp, an improved ad- Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lubricant reservoir;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken on the lines 4 4 and 5 5 respectively of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the ramp assembly;

Fig. 7 is an elevation thereof;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig.` 6 illustrating the bell crank lever;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 6 illustrating the delivery plate;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line III H1 of Fig. 6 illustrating the housing plate;

Fig. l1 is a section on the line II I I"of` Fig. 6 illustrating the adjusting shims; t

Fig. 12 is a section on the 1inejI2 I2 "of Fig. 6 illustrating the ramp spring;

Fig. 13 is a section on the line I3 I3 of Fig. 6 illustrating the ramp pivot Fig. 14 is a section on the line I4 I4 of Fig. 8 illustrating the bell connection between bell crank and ramp;

Fig. 15 is a section through the overrunning clutch;

Fig. 16 is a side view of the overrunning clutch mechanism; and

Fig. 17 is a section on the line'I1 ll of Fig. '7 with cover plate removed illustrating use of chisel to pry down ramp to change shim adjustment.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several gures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2Jfor a4 general descripjustable mounting for the spring assembly in the reservoir; and a new manner of supporting the protecting pipe which protects the cable.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be par.-

ticularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as toits objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be .carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a section of track lto which a lubricating device according to the invention is applied;

1 Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken von, the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

tion of the invention, the running rail, to which the lubricator is applied, is denoted by I5,resting on the usual ties I6 with the usual tie plates Il interposed. Secured to the inner side of the rail I5 is the delivery plate I8 for delivering lubricant to the wheel flanges. The reservoir comprises a tank I9 set into the ground alongside the track So as tooccupy a substantially xed position uneiected by the Wave movement of the rails or ties due tothe passage of railway trains. The reservoir tank I9 houses a seriesof pumps 2li which deliver lubricant throughpipes 2| to the delivery plateIB. 1 V' Secured to the running rail is a ramp assembly,

including ramp 22 which operates a bell crank lever 23 (Fig. 8) to which is secured cable 24. The cable 24 extends through the wall ofthe ,tank

i9 and is wrapped several times around the drum .25V of the unidirectional clutch assembly 86 and yis connected to spring assembly 26.l A chain 27 connects the clutch assembly and the pumps 20, it -being understood that up and down movement of ramp 22 pulls cable 24 driving drum 25 and its delivery plate |8 is clamped to the running rail by a series of nut and bolt assemblies indicated by 38. The several lubricant chambers 33 are supplied by branch pipes 35 ksupplied by the delivery pipes 2| and grease is fed to the wheel flanges 36 through delivery slots 39.

Attention is called to I-IeidenthalA Patent No. 2,185,810, granted January 2, 1940, for a more complete description of the lubricant applying apparatus. I

Referring now also to Figs. 6 to 14, the ramp assembly will now be described. This construction comprises the inner or ller plate 4| fitting the web 34, which mayextend along the rail substantially the same distance as the lubricant applying apparatus for the purpose of reinforcing the cut away rail |5. An outer, housing plate 42 has upper pads 50, 5| (Figs. 1l, 10) abutting the head of rail l5 at each end .of the ramp 22 and lower pads 43, 44 (Figs. 12 1,0) bearing against the ller plate 4| and against .the base llange ci rail 5. Plates 4| and 42 are clamped to the running rail |5 by two of the nut and bolt assemblies 38 which are used to clamp the delivery plate I8 to the rail (Fig. 6). Plate 42 .is provided with flanges |26, |21 abutting the heads of bolts 38 to keep them from turning.

The housing plate '42 carries a pivot shaft 45 pinned thereto by .a pin 46 passing through an adjacent flange on the housing plate, as indicated .particularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 13. The ramp 22 carries a Ybushing 54 by which it is journaled von shaft 45. Ramp 22 carries lubricant fitting 6| for bearing 54. Access to iitting 6| is achieved through a removable plate 62 on housing plate 42.

The ramp 22 has 'its .upper surface suitably tapered in both directions,as indicated .by 41 and 48, for traic in either direction. The upper wheel-engaging .surface maybe .suitably hardened f .Y

to withstand the wear due to the .engagement of the Vwheel treads V31. The ramp 22 vhas a nose 49 which is disposed under shoulder secured to the housing plate 42 toV limit the upper position ofthe ramp (-Fig. 11)

An adjustable shim arrangement is associated with the nose 49 and shoulder 5D .for the purpose of adjusting the stroke o'f the ramp 22. The housing Yplate 42 is provided with a set of openings in its side wallseparated by a web 40 and closed by a cover plate 88. A ange 81 integral withweb 40 passes through an opening in cover plate 88 yand is provided with a hole 89 for the reception of 4a pin ora lock (not shown) for the purpose of securing cover plate 88 in the position shown in Figure 11. Removal of cover plate 88 gives access to the adjustable shim arrangement.

The `adjustable shim arrangement comprises a master shim 63 seated upon a plurality of dilerent size lower shims 1|. Resting upon the master shim 63 vis a U-shaped -yc'ke 64 surrounding nose 49. Yoke 64 has upper and lower legs |24 connected by a vertical yspan |25. Upper leg |24 has a raised ange |123 (Fig. 7). Lower shims 1| and yoke -54 are snugly seated Yin .a recess 12| formed in housing plate 42.

Resting upon yoke 64 are additional different size shims 10. The upper shims 10 and upper leg of yoke 64 are disposed over the nose 49 and are held snugly in a chamber formed, on the one side, by the vertical wall |22 of the ramp 22 and, on the other side, by a raised flange |23 on yoke 64.

It will be `understood Vthat the upper shims 10 define the upper limit of ramp movement and, consequently, the stroke which the ramp 22 partakes upon the passage of the wheels of trains along the running rail l5. To change this stroke it is only necessary to remove the cover plate 88 Yand transfer the proper size shims from the lower group 1| to the upper group 1B, or vice versa- The distance between upper and lower legs |24 is ample to take care of the throw of the ramp 22.

Normally, the ramp spring 52 holds the ramp 22 in upper position with the ramp nose 49 exerting pressure upon the upper shims 1|), To adjust shims it 'is only necessary to remove cover plate 88 and insert a chisel or screw driver between the lower edge of shoulder 50 and the anvil I5 (see Fig. 17) formed on the end of ramp nose 49. By pressing the chisel or .screw driver upwardly, the ramp may be pried downwardly against the pressure of the ramp spring. This relieves pressure on upper shims 1i) and permits removal of shims and replacement of shims of diierent size. The master shim 63 is .not shown in Fig. vl1, having beenremoved, .to give more convenient access to the lowershims 1 while adjusting shims.

The housing plate 42 (Fig. 12) is provided with a recess 53, forming aseat and housing for ramp spring I52 Vlocated under kramp 22. A drain 60 at the bottom of the" spring housing prevents collection Vof water. It will be understood that the ramp is of such shape as to clear Vbolts 38 and nipple 55 threaded Yinto web 34 to which branch 35 is connected vfor supplying Vlubricant to chamber 33.

'Referring new also to Fig. 8, the housing plate 42 has an enlarged integral'chamber 56. Through the end walls of chamber 56 a shaft 51 is passed, the shaft being anchored in position by a wedge 51' passing through the shaft and through a hub cn the housing 56, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 6. J ournaled on shaft 51 `is a Abell crank lever 23 having bushing 65 and having an arm 58 connected to the ramp 22 by a ball connection. The ball 59'is disposed between a curved socket 14 in arm 58 and a hardened .flat surface plate `8| xed tothe bottom of a hole 90 in ramp v22 (see `also Fig. 14). A small helical spring 65, centered on a boss 98 secured to arm 58, acts between the ktop of hole 96 and the arm 58 to hold the ball 59m Vposition The bell crank 23 is provided with a lubricant fitting ||4 access to which is obtained through .a removable cover I |5 lclosing a hole in the top of housing 56.

It will be understood that, as the ramp moves up and down, it must communicate its motion to arm 58 and the ball :59 must communicate this movement without any lost motion. The bell crank arm 58 and the ramp 22 describe slight arcs in planes at right angles to each other and the ball 59 together with the surfaces of 14 and 8| accommodates this difference in movement.

Bell crank lever 23 has a depending arm 61 provided'with a. circular cable race 68 and a recess 69. The vend of cable 24 is anchored in recess 69 in any suitable way and it rides in .the 4circular vgroove A68 sothat the .cable 24 always has true tangential relationship with the arm 61 at constant radius as the latter moves under the influence of the ramp. 1 Y

Referring now. to Fig. 3, the tank'I 8 comprises a casing 12 having a removable cover 13. Secured to the bottom of the tank are a, series of gear pumps 23, each of which comprises gears 15' and 16 (Fig. 5) whose upper sides are exposed to the grease in the tank. Upon movement of the gears 15 and 18 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5, the grease is .forced through ducts 11 into delivery pipes 18 which connect with the delivery pipes 2| through rubber hoses 28. The gears 15 of the several pumps are mounted on drive sh'afts 19 which are aligned and connected by couplings 88, the drive shaft of the end pump supporting a sprocket 82.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4, 15 and 16, a rclutch assembly 88 is provided above the level of the lubricant in the reservoir.` This assembly includes a bracket S3 suitably bolted to the side of the tank and supporting bearings for a shaft 84, to which sprocket 85 is pinned. A chain 21 rides on sprockets 82 and 85.

The unidirectional roll clutch 88 comprises an outer ring or drum having a grooved periphery around which several turns of cable 24 are wrapped. Within the ring 25 is a hexagonal core 88 iixedly secured to shaft 84 and supporting a series of rollers 89 held in position by a series of springs 98 anchored on the hexagonal surface of core 88. An integral flange 9| and a plate 92, bolted to drum 25, ride against core 88 and hold the unidirectional clutch in assembled relationship. It will be understood that, as the outer ring 25 is rotated by movement of the cable 24 in one direction, it will impart no movement to shaft 84 and sprocket 85, but when moved in the other direction, it will drive members 84 and 85,

which in turn drive the pumps 28 for pumping lubricant to the lubricant distributing apparatus. For insuring no retrograde movementv of shaft 84 when the overriding clutch eexcutes'its retracting stroke, a fibre brake I I0 is provided comprising shoes II| and 2 connected by bolts 93 and 94. A spring 95 is interposed between the head of boit 94 and the shoe lll to yieidably hold shoes and ||2 in contact with shaft 84. Shoe I I2 is suitably anchored to support 83 by bolt I3. The shoes. and ||2 have libre linings which frictionally engage shaft 84, exercising suiiicient 'braking action to prevent retrograde movement of the shaft 84, but not enough to prevent forward movement of the shaft 84 for pumping grease. It will be understood that othertypes of unidirectional clutches may be used and other devices may be provided for preventing retrograde movement.

For anchoringV the end of cable 24 in the reservoir I9 a spring assembly 26V is provided (Figs. 2 and 4). This assembly comprises a pair of bolts 96 secured to the wall 12 of the reservoir and disposed on opposite sides of the sleeve 91. The heads of bolts 98 engage anges |28 welded to the walls 12 to prevent rotation of the bolts, and nuts ||9 secure the bolts rigidly in position.

Disposed on each' side of sleeve 91 is a lug or ear ||1 through which the bolts 96 respectively pass. Nuts I |8 clamp the ears I |1 between them.

The sleeve 91 has an inturned cap 98 providing a seat for a helical spring |8| operating against a movable plug or plunger 99. The plunger 99 has a recess |88 in which the end of cable 24 is suitably anchored, this cable passing along the axis of spring |8I and through an opening in cap 98. The tension of spring |8| may be adjusted by moving the adjusting nuts 8 along bolts 96. e

kIf desired, a suitable protector may be provided for the exible cable 24 where it extends from the ramp 22 tothe reservoir I9 to prevent persons accidentally stepping on the cable and stretching it. While any type of protective plate may be suitably supported above the cable 24, there is shown for purposes of illustration a heavy iron pipe |84. 'This pipe may be sufficiently large to adequately clear the cable and may be slidably mounted at the ramp end within a sleeve fitting |81 'suitably bolted to bell crank chamber 55. (Fig. 8) by bolt |85. The fitting |81 surrounds the lower side of bell crank lever 23 closing the lower side of chamber 56 to protect the bell crank lever 23 from underneath. The sleeve |81 should preferably be somewhat larger than pipe |84 and the pipe is slidably and loosely disposed in the sleeve so as to permit angular movement between pipe |84 and the ramp assembly due to the movement of the running rail.

The reservoir end of protecting pipe |84 is connected to a nipple 85 suitably Welded to the tank wall 12, a flexible tube |83 being clamped around the nipple |86 and pipe |84 by clamps |82 (Figs. 2 and 4). Packing |88 may be placed between the adjoining ends of nipple |86 and pipes |84. The rubber tube |83 and packing |88 permit angular movement between pipes |84 and reservoir I9 and also help prevent transmission of shock from track to reservoir.

Operation and advlantdges It will be understood that the ramp spring 52 is normally in expanded condition (Fig. 12) while the tank spring |8| is normally held by the tension of cable 24 in compressed position (Fig. 4). As the wheel tread 31 engages ramp 22, spring 52 is compressed and the bell crank level1 23 moves in such way as to permit the flexible cable 24 to be taken up by the reservoir spring |81. This movement rotates the outer ring 25 of the unidirectional clutch 86. In the form shown, this movement is in such direction as to cause .the clutch to retract and impart no movement to the f gear pumps 28.

As the wheel tread 31 leaves the ramp, the ramp spring 52 moves the ramp upwardly, which pulls the cable 24 out of the reservoir against the force of spring |8I, imparting rotation to the outer collar 25 of the unidirectional clutch in such direction as to drive the gear pumps 20.

It will be understood that, if desired, the action of unidirectional clutch 88 may be reversed so as to permit pumping action upon downward movement of the ramp with corresponding no .pumping when the ramp moves upwardly, but it `springs 52 and |8| so that al1 lost motion is immediately taken up by these springs. The wear in the unidirectional clutch 86 is not taken up by the springs, but such clutches are very efficient, especially when kept out of the bath of lubricant.

The lost motion in the chain and sprockets may be kept very small so as to be substantially negligible.

The invention, furthermore, has the advantage that the tank spring it will automatically take up any slight shifting horizontally in the track with respect to the reservoir and, when installing the apparatus, an adjustment of this spring assembly will take care of any slight variations in distance between the reservoir and the track.

As shown, the seat for ramp spring 52 is built entirely in housing plate 42. In this case, the pivoting of the ramp to the outer housing plate and the extension of the housing plate 42 to cover both ends of the ramp permits completing the ramp assembly in the factory and applying the device to the rail as a unit.

The ball connection between the ramp and bell crank insures positive operation without lost motion. The ball is free to move on the bearing surfaces, between which it .is held, under influence of the diverse motion of the ramp .and of the bell crank about axes at right aigles to each other.

The shim adjustment provides a simple means for controlling the lubricant flow. If 'too much lubricant is being supplied by the pumps, it is only necessary to transfer shims from the lower set to the upper set to diminish the throw of the ramp. Likewise, if too little lubricant is being supplied by the pumps, Ashims will be transferred from the upper set to the lower set to increase the throw of the ramp. .The removable cover plate holds the shims in position, and the lower or unused shims are always available in case different sizes are needed vfor the upper or used shims.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that vari-- ous omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a track lubricator, a track `structure including a running rail and a lubricant applying member, a lubricant supply, conveying apparatus for conveying lubricant from said supply to said lubricant applying memberan operating yramp on said track structure adapted to be moved by passage of cars on said running rail, a bell crank lever pivoted on said track structure and having one arm for connection to said ramp, said arm and ramp having opposed bearing surfaces, a'ball between said surfaces, means holding said bearing surfaces in tight engagement with said ball, and means connecting said conveying apparatus and the other arm oi said bell crank lever whereby movement of said rampv causes said conveying apparatus to deliver lubricant to said applying member.

2. In a rail lubricator, a track structure, a lubricant delivery member associated with said track structure for delivering lubricant to rolling stock wheels, an operating membersecured to said track structure, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said track structure, said bellcrank lever having a substantially horizontal varm and a substantially vertical arm, said horizontal arm having a curved recess in its lower face, said operating member having an opening, a ball between the lower surface of said operating member opening and said larm recess, a spring acting between the upper surface of said operating member opening and said horizontal arm, said depending arm having an arcuate groove, a cable secured to said arm and disposed in said groove,

,and pumping apparatus operated by said cable for supplying said delivery member with lubricant.

3. VIn a .rail lubricator, a running rail, a lubricant delivery member attached to the inner side of said running rail for delivering lubricant to rolling stock wheels, a filler bar attached to the outer `side of said running rail, a housing plate secured to said ller bar and providing an elongate s'lot therebetween, a ramp disposed in said slot and pivoted to said housing plate, said housing plate having a recess, a spring in said recess disposed under said ramp, said housing plate having an abutment, said ramp having a toe disposed under said abutment to limit the upper position thereof, said housing plate having an enlarged chamber, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted in said chamber, said bell crank lever having a substantially horizontal arm and a substantially vertical arm, said horizontal arm having a curved recess in its lower face, said ramp having an opening, a ball between the lower surface of said ramp opening and said arm recess, aspring acting between the upper surface of said ramp opening and said horizontal arm, said depending arm having an arcuate groove, a cable secured to said arm and disposed in said groove, and pumping apparatus operated by said cable for supplying said delivery member with lubricant.

4. In a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, a lubricant delivery member associated with said track structure for delivering lubricant to rolling stock, a housing secured to said running rail and providing an elongate slot, a ramp disposed in said slot and pivoted to said track structure, said housing having an abutment and a recess, said ramp having a nose disposed under said abutment, said nose having a raised anvil, adjusting shims located in said recess, a U-shaped Vyoke surrounding said nose and resting upon said adjusting shims, upper adjusting shims located above said yoke, said yoke having an upraised ange and said ramp having a vertical surface deiining a space for said upper shims, said housing having an opening for access to said shims and to said anvil, a closure for said opening, and means operated by said ramp to supply lubricant to said delivery member.

5. In .a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, a lubricant delivery member associated with said track structure for delivering lubricant to rolling stock, a housing secured to said running rail and providing an elongate slot, a ramp disposed in said slot and pivoted to said track structure, said housing having an abutment and a recess, said ramp having a nose disposed under said abutment, said nose having a raised anvil, adjusting shims located in said recess, a U-shaped yoke surrounding said nose and resting upon said adjusting shims, upper adjusting shims located above said yoke, said yoke having an upraised flange and said ramp having a Vertical surface defining a space for said upper shims, said housing having an opening for access to said shims and to said anvil, a closure for said opening having a hole, a horizontal web disposed across said opening having an apertured projecting lug disposed in said hole for a pin or the like to 'hold .said closure in position, and means operated'by said ramp to supply `lubricant to said deliverymember.

4WARREN C. HEIDENTHAL. 

